Restraining Government in America and Around the World

The Moochers Fight Back

The Chicago Tribune reports that a bunch of government bureaucrats went to the capital of Illinois and protested in favor of higher taxes. But it’s not exactly news that looters want more looting. The amazing thing to note is that the Democrats have complete control of Illinois government yet they are afraid to raise tax rates because they know voters are sick and tired of corrupt and inefficient government:

Thousands of teachers and other union workers descended on the state Capitol on Wednesday and chanted “raise my taxes” to try to pressure politicians to avoid major budget cuts. The vibe was the exact opposite of what you’d find at a tea party rally. But the loud chants barely resonated inside the Capitol, where lawmakers are trying to exit Springfield in a couple of weeks without voting for a tax increase that could jeopardize their re-election chances in little more than six months. …Gov. Pat Quinn is out front pushing his 33 percent increase in the income tax rate, but he’s getting lonely. Many lawmakers don’t want to take more money out of people’s wallets as unemployment remains high in Illinois, yet groups that receive tax money said Quinn’s proposed tax hike isn’t big enough to help bridge a deficit that’s expected to reach $13 billion if nothing is done. Complicating the matter is that Quinn faces Republican state Sen. Bill Brady of Bloomington in this fall’s race for governor, and Brady is taking the position that no tax increase is needed. …Last year, the Senate Democrats, led by President John Cullerton of Chicago, passed a tax increase that would increase the personal rate to 5 percent from 3 percent, along with a slight bump for corporate taxes. But the tax increase is stalled in the House, where last year, the Democrats in control did not muster enough votes for a smaller, temporary income tax increase.

P.S. Welcome Instapundit readers. I’ve heard about the “Insta-lanche” that occurs when Glenn links something, but this is my first time experiencing the phenomenon. I hope you take the opportunity to check out some of the other postings and visit again.

From the expansion of government after World War I, there was a typical pattern: public employees were paid less than comparable private sector workers, but had job security and solid benefits somewhat above the average private benefits package.

Somehow – the introduction of collective bargaining to public employment being a major factor – this trade-off has disappeared completely. Public employees make more now than the private sector and enjoy benefits comparable to all but the very best private plans, and retirement systems with defined benefits (which have been effectively banned for private sector employees since ERISA some 25 years ago) which cannot possibly be sustained without huge – HUGE – tax increases.

At some point the members of public employee unions are going to get a reality check. The unrealistic promises they extracted in the past are, well, unrealistic. When this finally dawns upon them, it won’t be pretty.

The productive people of America are sick of the looters, the moochers and the legions of alleged “brothers” unleashed by Cannibal-in-Chief Obama and now asserting some sort of right to be “kept” at the taxpayer’s expense.

The productive may be doomed to perish under the burden of all these parasites, but they are not going to go quietly.

To quote Ellis Wyatt from Atlas Shrugged: “I may have to go — but if I do, I’ll make damn sure I take all of you with me.”

Here in St Louis the voters just passed all kinds of new looting measures – bonds (for the chilllldren), transit sales tax. In the city, I heard them mention a bicycle registration tax. At least here, it appears the entire culture is rotten.

I am a government employee who works hard, is paid a reasonable salary, and has better then average benefits. My job pays substantially less than private industry. I know that because some of the businesses I work with have offered me jobs that pay a lot more than I make. I don’t feel underpaid because I do have a great job and my job is less stressful than the other jobs I have been offered.

One thing that I worry about is that many of my friends on the small government front use rhetoric that demonizes all government employees. I know that for most people it is a matter of convenience and when you talk about those “overcompensated worthless government employees” you are referring to the areas where that is a problem and not to all government employees. I do worry that the failure to differentiate is liable to cause a stigma against government employment that will make it harder to get good people.

I work in a rural area that is very conservative so that probably contributes some to the fiscal responsibility shown in setting government salaries in this area.

Squid: Obviously, Reynolds is “mooching” off of taxpayers the taxpayers of Tennessee just like teachers of Illinois, but is so self-unaware that it doesn’t occur to him. If I am missing something, please let me know.

“If they are chanting “raise my taxes” why not do it? We should have significantly higher tax rates for government workers.”

I think you meant to say those on the government payroll.

Yes, because far too often, the phrase “government worker” is an oxymoron on par with “jumbo shrimp” and “civil war.” There are government employees who actually do meaningful work but there are many, many more who do not.

I’ve not once heard Glenn Reynolds call for a higher salary or benefits for himself, nor higher taxes for other people, and I’ve been reading him for damn near a decade.

It’s not hypocrisy to hold a government job but call for smaller government. As long as you’re giving a day’s work for a days wage’s, it’s just a job like any other. If the government downsizes, as it should, then you roll up your socks and go to work in the private sector.

Clark,
That’s simplistic on a couple of reasons. First,it presupposes Glenn would be making less on the ‘outside’ than at UT.secondly,he’s on record as stating his pension is a 401 (K).sorry to have to bring fact and logic to your pout.

John: “I’ve not once heard Glenn Reynolds call for a higher salary or benefits for himself, nor higher taxes for other people, and I’ve been reading him for damn near a decade. ”

I didn’t argue that he did. I just said that by his definition of a state employee as a “moocher”, then he is as well.

“It’s not hypocrisy to hold a government job but call for smaller government.”
No, it’s not. It is hypocrisy to rain down contempt on your fellow state workers while feeding off of tax dollars your self.”

Corwin “it presupposes Glenn would be making less on the ‘outside’ than at UT.”
That’s irrelevant. Reynolds chooses a cushy job on the state dime. I bet he could command a lot of money at a law firm, but I also bet that he would be required to do real work instead of blogging all day.

I’ve seen this as a trend,and just not in Chicago, but in my home town of Atlanta. Where the MARTA buses drivers protested over cuts in drivers(they are union by the way). The Atlanta Fire Fighters over their pensions. Not to fail in mentioning the teachers and police over cuts to them as well.

Perhaps if the former mayors,and current one too kept balanced budgets instead of build parks, aquariums and having massive social welfare programs. Then perhaps we wouldn’t need to lay off teachers,cops, fire fighters and bus drivers.

An old farmer I worked for as a kid had a succinct way about him when discussing our country’s financial matters. Along with “Dammit, we’re selling our grandkids into slavery!” and, of sunlight into the affairs of politicians, “Flip on the lights and watch the rats scurry!”, he said the one that has stuck with me most,”The books always stay balanced!” And then he would look at me and say, “But sometimes it takes a looong time. And when it happens, watch out!”

I think we are living in such a time here in the US. The “books” of the givers and of the takers have been out of balance for many decades. It should not be assumed, however, that a correction that favors givers should be as incremental as was the long, slow accumulation of laws favoring the takers.

We have the money, remember. The takers want it. I think a correction is in the works. “And when it happens, watch out!”